Arcane Entanglement (The Mage and His Brute #1)

Chapter 21

“Your Grace?” Vincent Brown said in a troubled voice. “Are you alright? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine, Mr. Brown.”

Evander caught the worried look Rufus shot his way where they stood in the AFD’s Alchemical Analysts’ lab.

An array of brass and copper instruments gleamed on the benches and shelves around them, alongside dozens of bubbling retorts and alembics connected by networks of glass tubes. One wall of the room was occupied by an immense glass-fronted cabinet filled with hundreds of small vials and jars, each meticulously labelled and organised. A fume hood enchanted to safely disperse any dangerous vapours or magical emanations stood beside it.

Chained to a pedestal in the centre of the chamber was its most prized possession, a massive, leather-bound tome filled with several centuries of alchemical knowledge and enchanted to update itself with new discoveries and techniques. Magic hummed faintly around the Alchemist's Codex, the numerous protective wards in place shimmering slightly as they caught the light.

Evander realised most of the staff had stopped what they were doing and were openly gawking at him. Brown scowled.

The men and women resumed their tasks guiltily.

“I apologise, your Grace,” the alchemist grunted. “I’m afraid you’ll be the subject of gossip for a while yet.”

Evander hesitated. “Are you not curious? About why I hid the fact that I’m an Archmage?”

Brown met his steadfast stare. “I gathered you decided it would be too much trouble for it to become common knowledge, your Grace.” The alchemist shrugged. “To be honest, I would have done the same if I were in your shoes. Many would no doubt relish the authority and prestige that come with that title, but anyone acquainted with yourself knows you are not that kind of man.”

Relief lightened Evander’s chest. The fact that his closest associates were not threatened by his secret and had chosen not to treat him any differently after discovering his hidden abilities filled him with more gratitude than he could ever express.

It had been the same with Ginny and Rufus too.

Viggo’s face swam before his eyes. Evander couldn’t help but go over what the Brute had said in Winterbourne’s office, before they’d parted ways. His throat tightened. He doubted Viggo would ever treat him with more than just basic civility now that he’d learned exactly what he was.

“Are you certain about the nature of the powder Shaw found at the scene of the attack?” Rufus asked Brown.

Evander focused on what they were saying.

“Yes. I believe what Miss Shaw discovered at Hyde Park Corner is Monk’s Lilac .” Brown indicated the glass tube sitting inside a rack on his workstation.

Evander frowned at the purple dust coating the lining of the vessel.

“Isn’t that a rare plant with magical properties?”

“It is indeed, your Grace.” The alchemist lifted a small bottle containing a similar looking substance from the bench. “As luck would have it, I found a sample of it in our stores.”

Rufus’s face tightened. “Can this help us find the mages who attacked his Grace’s carriage?”

“It might if it was actually Monk’s Lilac ,” someone drawled.

They turned. Evander’s shoulders knotted at the sight of Viggo.

Rufus drew himself to his full height. The inspector did not even bother to hide his hostility.

“What are you doing here?”

Something Evander couldn’t read flashed in the Brute’s gaze when their eyes met.

Viggo shrugged. “Magnus is still out, so I asked if I could tour the facilities.”

His relaxed tone made Rufus’s mouth flatten to a thin line.

“This isn’t some goddamn museum, Stonewall!” the inspector snapped.

Shaw stepped out of the Brute’s shadow.

“Commander Winterbourne gave his permission,” the mage piped up cheerfully. “Viggo was especially keen to see where our alchemists worked.”

Rufus’s face darkened.

“You should have started with the basement,” he muttered. “And why are you calling him Viggo, like you’re friends?”

Shaw’s expression grew pinched. “He told me to.” She crossed her arms and arched an arrogant eyebrow. “Why, are you jealous, sir?”

Rufus made a choked noise.

Evander swallowed a sigh as they started bickering. Though he wasn’t entirely sure why the inspector had taken an instant dislike to Viggo, he suspected it had to do with the Brute’s attitude towards him in Winterbourne’s office. He became conscious of a rising din and looked around.

If his freshly revealed secret of being an Archmage had created something of a ruckus in the lab, Viggo’s presence was about to cause a veritable uproar.

“What’s the matter with you, folks?” Brown shouted over the brouhaha. “Ain’t none of you seen a Brute before?!”

“But it’s the Ironfist Brute, sir!” someone exclaimed.

“He’s the leader of Nightshade , no less,” another alchemist said.

Brown glowered. “And?”

The alchemists reluctantly returned to their tasks, though not without stealing covert glances at Viggo.

“I apologise about that,” Brown said gruffly. His expression cleared and his mouth curved in a faint smile as he observed the Brute. “Vincent Brown. I’m an old drinking friend of your uncle.” He gave Viggo his hand.

Surprise jolted Evander. Even Rufus looked astonished.

Viggo stared before slowly shaking the alchemist’s hand. “You are?”

“Yes.” Brown’s smile faded. “Or at least I was before your aunt Mary died. I doubt you remember, but I was at the funeral.”

“I don’t,” Viggo said quietly. “Thank you for coming.”

Evander could tell the Brute truly meant his words.

Brown rocked back on his heels. “How’s Jack?”

“He’s well.” Viggo’s expression loosened a little. “I shall tell him we met.”

“Please do. I really should catch up with him.” Brown beamed. “Now, tell me why you think this isn’t Monk’s Lilac , young man.” He slapped Viggo heartily on the back, only to wince and shake his hand.

“Do you mind?” Viggo gestured to the glass tube in the rack.

“Not at all.”

Curiosity piqued Evander as Viggo picked up the vessel and held it up to the light streaming through the arched windows looking out over the river. Contrary to his expectations, the Brute appeared remarkably comfortable in the unusual milieu he found himself in.

Somehow, he suspected few situations would unnerve the man.

Viggo’s eyes gleamed as he inspected the content of the tube. “ Monk’s Lilac produces a deep purple powder when dried and ground.” He uncorked it and took a careful sniff. “It has a sweet musky aroma that intensifies when the powder is disturbed.”

Brown nodded and rubbed his beard approvingly, like a professor pleased with a particularly excellent student.

Rufus scowled when Viggo dipped his index finger inside the vial and lifted specks of the dust onto his skin.

“You shouldn’t be touching the evidence like that!” he snapped.

“It’s alright, Inspector,” Brown drawled with surprising benevolence. “That’s not the only sample Miss Shaw found.”

This earned the alchemist incredulous stares from several of his associates. Anyone else would have had their hand chopped off if they’d attempted the same.

Viggo ignored Rufus’s interruption and rubbed the residue between his fingers.

“ Monk’s Lilac is extremely fine and clings to surfaces,” he said thoughtfully. “It was correct of you to assume it would still be present at the crime scene.”

Brown cocked his head to the side, his expression quizzical. “Then, why do think I’m wrong?”

The faint smile that tugged at Viggo’s lips made Evander’s stomach flip-flop. The intelligence and confidence in the Brute’s gaze was a facet of his personality he was witnessing for the first time.

He found it positively breathtaking.

“You forgot to factor in the degradation process in the location where it was discovered.”

Viggo’s answer made Brown blink and Shaw suck in air.

“Cor blimey!” the forensic mage mumbled, earning herself a narrow-eyed look from Rufus.

“The temperature and humidity.” Brown stared dazedly at Viggo before looking out the windows. “It’s autumn!”

Viggo dipped his head. “Correct.” He picked up the bottle containing Monk’s Lilac and poured a small amount in a glass dish before holding it out to Evander. “Do you think you can lower the temperature in this dish to about twelve degrees centigrade and add, say, some eighty percent humidity?” he asked lightly.

Evander noted that the Brute didn’t call him His Grace this time around.

“Sure.”

His fingers grazed Viggo’s hand as he took the receptacle off him.

The Brute’s skin was hot and firm under his touch. Evander hoped he didn’t notice the way his breath quickened and his pulse accelerated at the barest contact.

It took some effort to concentrate on his water magic. Coolness danced through his veins. A damp chill coiled around his hands.

Everyone stared as the Monk’s Lilac faded to a greyish hue.

“Good grief!” Brown said hoarsely. “Then the powder Miss Shaw found is?—!”

“ Noctis Bloom ,” Viggo said gravely. “They share many similarities, including their smell and their consistency in powder form.”

“But Noctis Bloom retains its deep, rich colour when exposed to the elements for a considerable length of time.” Brown gave Viggo a stunned look. “How did you know?!”

The Brute shrugged. “You could say I’m an amateur botanist.”

Heat suffused Evander’s body when their eyes met.

“There’s nothing amateurish about your knowledge, my boy.” Brown patted Viggo’s shoulder gingerly, his face bright with admiration. “Why, I should get our commander to recruit you!”

Viggo grimaced. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Does Noctis Bloom have magical properties?” Rufus asked grudgingly.

“Yes. It’s more potent than Monk’s Lilac . And it only blooms at midnight during a new moon.” The Brute furrowed his brow. “There is one other major difference between the two flowers. One many people remain unaware of to this day.”

“And that is?” Rufus sounded genuinely intrigued for once, all animosity forgotten in this moment of revelation.

Even Brown and Shaw leaned forward expectantly.

Evander could relate. Unravelling mysteries was one of the most gratifying aspects of their job after all.

“ Noctis Bloom is used by dark magic users in their rituals. In fact, there’s even a rumour that dark mages use it to enhance their powers,” Viggo said grimly.